PoS Mayor gives access to the disabled

PORT-of-Spain Mayor, Alderman Raymond Tim Kee last week visited the Caribbean Kids and Families Therapy Organisation’s (CKFTO) centre on Vidale Street, St James, to inspect the first of many accessible parking signs to be installed by the Port-of-Spain City Corporation.

The initiative is part of the mayor’s support for the CKFTO/NCPD (National Centre for Persons with Disabilities) Social Integration for Persons with Disabilities campaign.

Themed Open Your Mind- Discover the Ability in Disability, the sensitisation campaign is supported by Spanish energy company Repsol.

The main objective of the campaign, launched in May 2013, is to inform and educate the wider society on the term “disability”, and targets the entire nation. The mayor, an advocate for persons with disabilities, applauded Repsol for its generous contribution to such a worthy cause.

At the CKFTO centre, Tim Kee was given a tour by the organisation’s chairperson Elizabeth Aleong, Vice-Chairperson Sofia Leon and the rest of the CKFTO team. During the visit, Aleong noted,“There is a serious dearth of proper infrastructural and legislative implementation in TT to cater for persons with disabilities, but the SIPD’s dedication and Mayor Tim Kee’s support show that we are heading in the right direction.”

Leon added, “Right now, accessible parking spaces are only seen within enclosed areas, such as the parking lots of malls and supermarkets. The installation of these street signs is a significant development towards equal access, and we are very pleased and thankful to the Mayor.”

CKFTO also thanked Tim Kee and the POS City Corporation for recognising the needs of persons with disabilities and designating accessible parking spots throughout the city.